Sunita Somvanshi
Harley-Davidson has issued a major recall affecting 82,117 Softail motorcycles from model years 2018-2024. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the recall on June 12, citing a potentially dangerous defect that could lead to sudden tire failure and increased crash risk.
The problem involves a mounting tab on the rear shock pre-load adjuster that may break during normal riding. If this happens, the adjuster can come in contact with the rear tire, creating a groove that could cause sudden loss of tire pressure.
Similar Posts:
“A sudden loss of tire pressure increases the risk of a crash,” NHTSA stated in its recall notice.
Riders might notice several warning signs before a complete failure occurs. These include unusual noise from under the seat, a loose rear shock adjuster when the seat is removed, difficulty maneuvering the motorcycle, or abnormal wear patterns on the rear tire.
The specific models affected include:
- FLDE (2018-2019)
- FLHC (2018-2021)
- FLHCS (2018-2024)
- FLHCS ANV (2018, 2023)
- FXLRS (2020-2024)
- FXLRST (2022-2024)
- FXRST (2022)
Harley-Davidson discovered the issue in September 2024 and has documented 11 warranty claims related to the problem. The company estimates only about 0.1% of the affected motorcycles actually have the defect. No crashes or injuries have been reported so far.
The Milwaukee-based motorcycle maker will begin notifying owners by mail starting June 16. Dealers will install a new bracket free of charge to prevent the adjuster from contacting the tire.
Owners with questions can call Harley-Davidson at 1-800-258-2464 regarding recall number 0188, or contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
